Current sensor

Abstract

A current sensor including electromagnetic conversion elements to detect magnetic fields generated when current flows through a current path under test, a chassis that stores the electromagnetic conversion elements and includes a channel to which the current path under test is disposed, and an installation member securable to the chassis, with the installation member including two arm units and a connecting unit to movably connect each end of the two arms, in which hook units are provisioned on the outer side of the two arm units, and holes are provisioned on the channel of the chassis to engaged with the hook units of the installation member, and when the current path under test and the installation member is disposed in the channel, the current path under test is securely supported, and at the same time the hook units and the holes are engaged.

1 . A current sensor, comprising:
 a plurality of electromagnetic conversion elements configured to detect a magnetic field applied thereto when a current flows through a current path under test;   a chassis configured to accommodate the electromagnetic conversion elements, the chassis having an inner wall forming a groove; and   an installation member configured to hold the current path under test and be installed in the groove;   wherein the installation member includes:
 a pair of arm units each having a hook unit protruding toward the inner wall; and 
 a connection portion connecting the pair of arm units; 
   and wherein the inner wall of the chassis has cutouts configured to engage with the hook units.   
     
     
         2 . The current sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm units are capable of bending inwardly while the current path under test is being held by the arm units and an inner side of the connection portion. 
     
     
         3 . The current sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein an inner wall of the connection portion includes a curved wall that spans at least 180° corresponding to an outer edge of the current path under test which has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The current sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner interior wall of the connection portion has a shape complementary to an outer circumference of the current path under test which has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The current sensor according to  claim 4 , wherein the connection portion has a concave formed on the inner wall thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The current sensor according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a flange portion provided on the connection portion so as to clamp the chassis.   
     
     
         7 . The current sensor according to  claim 6 , wherein the flange portion has a notch. 
     
     
         8 . The current sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the current path under test is held between the inner wall forming the groove and an outer wall of the connection portion. 
     
     
         9 . The current sensor according to  claim 8 , wherein the inner wall that forms a bottom of the groove has a first curved surface, and the outer wall of the connection portion has a second curved surface, the first and second curved surfaces forming a space between the inner wall of the groove and the outer wall of the connection portion when the installation member is disposed in the groove and the hook units are engaged with the cutouts. 
     
     
         10 . The current sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the arm units protrude from the chassis when the installation member is installed in the groove such that the hooks units engage with the cutouts. 
     
     
         11 . The current sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electromagnetic conversion elements are arranged on a virtual ellipse centered around the current path under test when the current path under test is held in the installation member disposed in the groove.